Patents by Inventor Michelle L. Houston

Michelle L. Houston has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5634927
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an orthopaedic instrumentation assembly 10 for at least partially preparing an end of a bone with a drill for receiving a prosthesis. The instrumentation assembly includes a drill guide 14 having a drill guide opening for guiding a drill into the bone; and an orthopaedic sizing plate 12 attachable to the end of the bone. The sizing plate 12 is configured for interconnecting with the drill guide 14. The drill guide 14 includes a first drill stop 47 and the sizing plate includes a second drill stop 33, with the first drill stop and the second drill stop coacting with each other for limiting projection and for maintaining axial alignment of the drill into the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle L. Houston, Steven A. Zawadzki
  • Patent number: 5613970
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an orthopaedic instrumentation assembly 10 located relative to an intramedullary member 12, wherein the intramedullary member is disposed at least partially within a bone. The instrumentation assembly 10 includes an offset bushing 16 having a longitudinal axis and a bore therethrough for receiving the intramedullary member. The bore is disposed non-coaxially relative to the longitudinal axis. A sizing plate 14 has an opening 22 therein, and further includes a portion associated with the opening for receiving the bushing, wherein the bushing is rotatably supported. Upon movement of the bushing 16 or sizing plate 14, the bushing and sizing plate coact to position the sizing plate relative to each of the intramedullary member and the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle L. Houston, Steven A. Zawadzki, Kevin M. Greig, Jerry L. Aikins
  • Patent number: 5181925
    Abstract: A femoral component for a knee joint prosthesis having a modular cam which may be connected intraoperatively to provide posterior tibial subluxation resistance when the posterior cruciate ligament is sacrificed. The cam includes protrusions which engage with notches on the stem base to prevent rotation of the cam during use. A stem extension is connected to the stem base for clamping engagement of the cam body therebetween. A transverse opening may be formed in the stem base for providing access to the stem extension threads. The threads may then be malformed to prevent rotation of the stem extension relative to the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle L. Houston, Kevin M. Greig
  • Patent number: 5147406
    Abstract: A femoral component for a knee joint prosthesis having a modular cam which may be connected intraoperatively to provide posterior tibial subluxation resistance when the posterior cruciate ligament is sacrificed. The cam includes protrusions which engage with notches on the stem base to prevent rotation of the cam during use. A stem extension is connected to the stem base for clamping engagement of the cam body therebetween. A transverse opening may be formed in the stem base for providing access to the stem extension threads. The threads may then be malformed to prevent rotation of the stem extension relative to the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle L. Houston, Kevin M. Greig